why this is a false problem

The bill consolidating secularism and republican principles will soon be presented to the Council of Ministers. In this text there is in particular a mention on “certificates of virginity”. Dr. Ghada Hatem, gynecologist, explains why this is a false debate.

He made a lot of talk about him: the bill against separatism, renamed “bill consolidating secularism and republican principles”. This bill should be presented for 2021, and was raised again in the Assembly session on Saturday November 7, 2020 by Nadia Hai, who evokes a project that "will soon be presented to the Council of Ministers and it will be examined in Parliament at the beginning of 2021."
One of its provisions aims to prohibit virginity certificates issued by certain doctors. "We will not only ban it formally, but propose the penalty " declared on September 6 Gérald Darmanin to Parisien.

Ghada Hatem, obstetrician gynecologist, agreed to speak on this provision, explaining why it was at best unnecessary, at worst counterproductive.

See also: meet doctor Ghada Hatem, founder of the Maison des Femmes:

“Banning these certificates will not change the mindsets of those who demand them.”

"Virginity certificates are unbearable. They convey the image of a 'trophy woman', which we would be the first to possess. They are the negation of what we have been campaigning for for so long, the right of women to dispose of their bodies. They confirm the stranglehold of society on the enjoyment of women and their right to enjoy a fulfilling sexuality with the partners of their choice. They make the body of women the symbol of the honor of the clan and confirm the lack of importance of his person.
This obsession with "the operculum of freshness" can be explained in different ways, the most likely being the deep anguish of marrying an already impregnated woman and unknowingly raising a bastard who would ruin the purity of the lineage.
But this requirement is also ridiculous and sometimes life-saving. Ridiculous, because no one can prove the virginity of a woman, the hymen being an elastic ring sometimes rudimentary and almost non-existent. More than half of women do not bleed on first intercourse, which can unfortunately lead to crimes to wash away a supposedly flouted honor.
Ridiculous, because a woman will always be able, and they have done it since the dawn of time, to mimic a preserved virginity.
Ridiculous, because in some cultures, it is an assistant who takes care of deflowering the young bride sometimes by means of an ivory penis, so boring seems to the husband.
Salvation, because going to meet a doctor to ask him for this certificate – devoid of any legal value and which must never be accompanied by a medical examination, because the latter is an unnecessary humiliation – can be a chance for the young woman. This is an opportunity for the doctor to discuss her life course and the constraints that are placed on her. It is an opportunity for prevention, in particular future domestic violence in a marriage where consent is forcibly withdrawn. It is an open door to be able to ask for help one day.
Banning these certificates will not change the mindsets of those who demand them. It means giving yourself a good conscience at little cost, and compliance with this measure cannot be assessed, because these certificates are only used within the strict family and community framework.
To penalize doctors is to close the only door for patients where they could have found help and advice. This is undoubtedly promoting a black market for certificates that dubious pharmacies will charge dearly in the name of the risks incurred.
Our only way out is to educate young people relentlessly and to meet their parents to convince them. It's more tiring and more expensive than banning, but it's more effective and less hypocritical. "

Thanks to Ghada Hatem for her words. You can go and discover her action in favor of women and make a donation to the Maison des Femmes that she founded here.

Missions : Journalist for aufeminin, I work for the society section. I am particularly attached to subjects related to women's rights, feminism and ecology. I also have …